President Obama visits Austin taco restaurant with Democratic candidates
Former US President Barack Obama visited a taco restaurant in Austin on May 12 with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and Texas gubernatorial candidate James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa.
Former President Barack Obama’s surprise visit to Austin this fall with two Democrats who were leading Texas’ polls was one of the most high-profile shows of support for a national party in the state in years.
The announcement comes as polls suggest the Texas gubernatorial race could be close, with the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, looking to unseat three-term Republican Greg Abbott, with a narrow single-digit margin.
The last time a Democrat held the governorship was in 1994.
Democrats, along with former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, have recently sought to unseat Mr. Abbott, but they have failed by an 11 percentage point margin.
Ahead of the Republican and Democratic primaries in March, a University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs poll showed Hinojosa leading, with a seven-point difference between the two candidates in a potential November 2026 matchup.
Both went on to win in their respective primaries, and Hinojosa’s vote was so close that a matchup became a reality.
However, a recent April poll by Texas Poll found that support for the governor’s race was within five points, 48% to 43%, with Hinojosa scoring high among independents, moderates, black voters, Latino voters and young voters.
But another poll in April by the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project showed Hinojosa trailing Abbott by six points.
Neither candidate is on the Texas primary runoff in May, but they are aiming to win over Texas voters ahead of the general election in November 2026.
Mr. Abbott has the backing of President Donald Trump, while Mr. Hinojosa had the support of former President Barack Obama but did not.
When was the last time a Democrat was governor of Texas?
The last time a Democrat was elected governor was in 1990, when Ann Richards was elected governor. She lost her 1994 re-election bid to George W. Bush.
The last time a Democrat was elected to statewide office was in 1994.
Mateo Rosiles is a Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and local Texas newspapers. Do you have any news tips for him? Email him: mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
